Mistral, reviewed by Marc Foster

Good Food, Good Friends, Great Time by Marc Foster

            The Mistral restaurant is a high end French restaurant located in Boston. Walking into the restaurant there is a sense of formality, and precision to the atmosphere. The guests, the waiters everybody is dressed up. The waiter came around and collected our glasses that we did not need. Effortlessly he fitted around 12 glasses into his hand, without dropping a single one, while also explaining the menu to us. The menu was fantastic, and I kept on changing my order in my head.

            For an appetizer, I had a squash mushroom pizza. The squash made the pizza sweet and the cheese and mushroom had just enough savory in it to not make the pizza taste like a dessert. After having the appetizer I was very excited for the entrée.

            The food came out relatively fast. The waiters in between politely cleaned up our places and filled our drinks. On seeing what other people got I envied their choices. However, when the rack of lamb was put onto my place I immediately knew I had gotten the right choice. The lamb was perfectly cooked, and since I had never had lamb before it was perfect way to introduce myself to this meat. The portions were perfect, not too big and not too small. I was not overly full and after my entrée I knew there was room for dessert.

            The waiters came around and gave us the dessert menu, politely asking us if we had any questions. The waiters were perfectly politely and made enough small talk for us to get to know them but not for them to intrude on our meal. I decided on dessert, get an apple crostada. It came just as quickly as the rest of the meal, and was warm and perfectly cooked. The food was so well presented that it was hard to eat it first, but when I took the first bite no one could stop me from finishing everything.

            The meal was fantastic. The lighting was perfect at the beginning, a little too dark by the end, but not enough to not enjoy conversation with friends. I would highly recommend this restaurant. The atmosphere, food, and décor all invite for a very good time. 

Mistral, reviewed by Julia Duato

Oh Là Là! 
by Julia Duato

Three dishes, three adjectives: exotic, soft, and warm. The Sushi Grade Tuna Tartare with Crispy Wonstons, Ginger & Soy for the appetizer could be the perfect way to start the evening. Followed by the Red Wine Braised Short-ribs with Butter Whipped Potato, Mirepoix & Smoked Tomato, the soft way that the beef melts in your mouth at the first second it mixes with your saliva, and you feel it going down your throat, you stop feeling guilty for the $42 you are paying for it. You might be thinking you don’t want dessert because you have eaten to much by now, but the Warm Apple Crostada with Vanilla Gelato & Caramel Sauce is just one of those things you can’t miss if you are having dinner in the Mistral. 

If you are going to the restaurant willing to pay enough money for a great evening, without caring how much it is going to be, and ready to eat real good food, then the Mistral is the right place for you. Last but not least if you were hoping for a place where people treat you well, but, with some exception, not genuinely, then is definitely the right place for a lovely dinner with your family, friends and colleagues from work. Don’t forget to get fancy!

BSO, review by Rebecca Wnuk

Read: What Happens When Talent and Skill Are Combined 
By Rebecca Wnuk

            Augusta Read Thomas' Cello Concerto No. 3, "Legend of the Phoenix" is an ineffably vivifying piece of music. Composed in 2012 and timing in at about thirty minutes long, it's a continuous ebb and flow of intensity, pace and passion.  The symphony uses a variety of woodwind, brass, string and percussion instruments to paint layers of euphonic sound throughout the air, never leaving a dull moment.

            The music piece opens with a spectacular burst of notes played on a cello, emphatically announcing its presence. Soon an English horn and clarinet join in, adding a bit of jazz flair. The brass instruments jump around in a sharp and frantic bursts that begin suddenly and are cut off just as fast. The speed and precision with which the instruments play make it evident just how carefully constructed the music is. When the glockenspiel, triangles and cymbals begin playing, a smooth transformation into more melodic, fluid sounds takes place. The music becomes less theatrical, embodying a serene quality that's complemented by the delicate ring of high-pitched bells.

             As suggested in the title of the piece, the cello is always the core of the music- the leader that other instruments follow and build upon. With the addition of each instrument, the energy grows, and Cello Concerto blossoms into a singular, unified work of art- an impressive accomplishment considering how many individual sounds it's comprised of.

            At only 48 years old, Thomas is a clear master of melody, harmony, rhythm, and tempo. She combines all of her skills to craft a dramatic ending for piece, using a cello to close her symphony  just as she used it to open. As the intensity grows and the climax is reached, all other instruments slowly fade away one by one. Finally, only the quiet hum of the cello's strings can be heard, and the piece has come full circle. When the musical composition concludes with a soft but vibrant strum,  it leaves listeners feeling rejuvenated and craving more. Lucky for them, the sounds produced in Thomas' majestic symphony tend to linger with people long after the piece has ended.

BSO, review by Kara L’Heureux

Entering the Symphony World 
By Kara L’Heureux

You have entered a world that is the closest things to magic that we have. I have never been to any symphony before, I was unaware if I would stay awake the whole time, but sitting in that room surrounded in the most beautiful, epic, and out of this worldly music I couldn’t help but be entranced and fall in love with the symphony.

The grand hall that holds the Boston Symphony Orchestra is the Symphony Hall. This hall is grand with its high molded ceilings, marble statues towering above the audience, and a stage complete with a ginormous organ.  The atmosphere in that room was one of elegance.

The first symphony was Mozart NO. 41 in C “Jupiter”. This piece was as classical as it gets. It had a sea of violins divided into two sections and several other string instruments that took attention. This symphony was long but elegant and had many rising and falling motions. It was a beautiful way to start the night.

The next piece was by Augusta Reed Thomas, who was in the house that night for the world premiere of Cello Concerto NO.3 “Legend of The Phoenix”. This Piece was a more modern turn to the night. With soloist Lynn Harrell who played the cello hauntingly the piece was dark and screeching but mesmerizing with its touches of light.  For its world premiere the audience was  on their feet for many bows and loved the strange but magical piece.

After the modern piece came the epic ballad by Saint-Saens, Symphony NO. 3 in C minor, opus 78, “Organ Symphony”. This one was close to a movie soundtrack, it carried a vary of emotions and showed many different sections through many ways. To top it all off Organist Oliver Latry accompanied the orchestra and gave this song a deep rich feel. Many audience members were brought to tears at the performance.

The entire symphony was conducted by Christophe Eschenbach, who led the orchestra with his swift and elegant movements. The orchestra preformed its own kind of dance as they move in unison moving their hands and heads as they played. The change of instruments in between songs was mechanical and machine like as the performers switched chairs.

You go to the symphony for two reasons, one for the music and the other for the experience. The music fills the room and pulls you into a new world. It captivates and sparks imagination as you listen and space out to another world. It’s a new experience I encourage everyone to try.

Mistral, reviewed by Aoife Hughes

Boston’s Best Bistro 

by Aoife Hughes

An incredible hideaway located in South End, Mistral is a restaurant not to be looked past. Highlighted in Boston’s Best numerous times, the culinary genius that comes from Mistral Bistro is incredible. It is noted as a “Hole for the well-heeled” and “Guaranteed Great Meal” as well as “Upscale Bar” in Boston Best.

Jamie Mamanno opened the restaurant in 1997, and since then it has flourished. On their website, Mistral is described as “Gracious. Sophisticated. Seductive. Distinctive.” Most recently,

Crowd pleasers on Mistral’s current menu include their Whole Roasted Duck and Wild Mushroom Risotto, Red Wine Braised Short ribs with Potato and Smoked Tomato, and

Tomato, Mozzarella and Oregano Pizza.

The desert menu includes rich profiteroles and refreshing sorbet along with crème Brule and a creative chocolate pizza.

The waiting staff takes care of your every need and are not overpowering to an extent that you cannot enjoy your meal. The food arrived promptly after ordering and no one had any issues with their order.

The atmosphere in the restaurant was perfect; not too noisy and not too dark or bright. The restaurant quickly filled up come 6:30 in the evening, regardless of the fact it was a Thursday evening. 

Boston should be proud of Mistral. The bistro is the epitome of a restaurant and the food is nothing short of incredible. Although pricey, if one is looking for a place to enjoy a good meal and a great atmosphere, look no further than Mistral. 

Mistral, reviewed by Rakel Abellán

French Heaven 

by Rakel Abellán

            

           Have you ever wanted to go back in time just so you could re-eat something again? Well this is what you will experience if you decide to go to Mistral, a French restaurant located in 223 Columbus Ave, Boston. Even thought this restaurant might be a little pricey, I can’t say it isn’t worth it.

            Right as you come in you have this feeling of elegance; the place has dim lights, all the waiters are dressed up, the bar is full of colorful bottles lined up tidily, and the spacey restaurant is furnished with what looks like good-quality pieces of furniture. I decided to order the tuna tartare as a starter and the swordfish as my main dish.  I have to say they were so good I was so upset when I finished them, even though I could not have been fuller! So definitely it isn’t one of those fancy restaurants that serve you a really tiny dish and expect you to be fulfilled. To finish it off I order the crème brulee, a great sweet ending to my astounding experience. 

Mistral, reviewed by Erin Gifford

Choreographed Dining 
By Erin Gifford

Two large men in suits open double doors in synchronization as you walk inside the Mistral Bistro. The green, orange, yellow, and white color pallet of the restaurant is extremely aesthetically pleasing. Clean cut tables and minimalistic decorations, the Mistral is a striking establishment. Waiters come to your table almost immediately, explaining the menu, pouring glasses of iced water, and laying out bread.

The menu offers a wide variety of interesting appetizers, ranging from butternut squash pizza to escargot in garlic sauce. The entrees are all accommodating, offering a large selection of fish, chicken, duck, beef, and also some pasta. A particularly wonderful choice is the “Market Fish”, which happens to be a black bass braised in ginger-lime sauce, served with gold potatoes and lump crab. Each flavor is very distinct and yet they all work in harmony. Every dish is unique in the way it is served and cooked, coming with many different vegetables and fruits. The waiter provides all the necessary information and even combs the crumbs off the tablecloth.

Dessert is also prepared to perfection, being served with chocolate decals on the plate and warmed. Most come with a side of ice cream and a mint leaf, adding to the artistic presentation of the desert. A favorite would be the warm chocolate tort with vanilla ice cream, filling the diner with a warm satisfied feeling after eating a fantastic meal. The Mistral Bistro is a definite for any classy diner, accommodating many tastes along with fantastic service and moderate pricing.